India's retired general, Jagjit Singh Aurora, hailed as the hero of India's 1971 war with Pakistan, has died of old age. He was 89 years old.

General Aurora led India to victory in a war with Pakistan that split the Muslim nation and gave birth to independent Bangladesh. He accepted the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani troops during the war.

General Aurora retired from the army in 1973, but then served as a member of parliament from 1986 to 1992. He is survived by a son and a daughter.

His cremation will take place on Wednesday with full military honors in the Indian capital, New Delhi.